I missed this message when you posted it. Sorry for the late reply. I know the rules are generally submit three. But I am fine if someone wants to submit 1-3 more. Go for it.
Almost everything I do (when I comes to Landscapes) is bracketed for HDR, I honestly don't know how anyone can do it any other way.... oh wait, Grad Filters ya thats the other way.....but I'm too cheap to invest into those...
The argument of HDR photomatix vs. HDR PS vs. HDR layers and masks have made for some great discussion among friends I hang with.....
None of us have ever lost the argument to one another.... If you know what I mean?.
(btw, if I've used any of these shots before pls forgive my memory...)
#1
Along the Trail
#2
Deep, Very Deep
#3
I like to call this one:
"Zeno, if I ever catch you ..."
Almost everything I do (when I comes to Landscapes) is bracketed for HDR, I honestly don't know how anyone can do it any other way.... oh wait, Grad Filters ya thats the other way.....but I'm too cheap to invest into those...
The argument of HDR photomatix vs. HDR PS vs. HDR layers and masks have made for some great discussion among friends I hang with.....
None of us have ever lost the argument to one another.... If you know what I mean?.
(btw, if I've used any of these shots before pls forgive my memory...)
Aaron,
I have never done HDR, have only read about it, hence staying WAY away from this mini challenge. However, I apparently need to be educated, so I'm hoping you will do that for me. In looking at your three landscape images, they are great. LOVE them. But I can't tell the difference between what you have posted here and non-HDR landscapes. I know, cringe, cringe, everyone is probably very embarrassed for me, but admitting this asking for input is the only way I can learn.
My camera does the bracketing thing (yep, rank amateur here) but I've never used it. I guess I'm not quite sure what the need is since I can't tell the difference between your HDR shots and regular non HDR landscapes. The really processed HDR shots, sure, i can tell. But not the others. Please don't be offended because I certainly don't mean it that way, and can you educate me?
Aaron's first shot is a great example of the value of HDR. If you scan over that scene, you can see the detail in the water, in the shadow areas of the forest, and in the cloudy sky. Without HDR, you would've had to choose, based on exposure, which one you'd want to emphasize. If you exposed for the forest, the sky would've been blown out. If for the sky, the forest would be black.
Here's the 5 bracketed exposures (SOOC) I used to create one of my examples. You'll notice the underexposured ones pick up the pastels of the sky, and the overexposed ones, the detail in the rocky foreground.
Kara, zero offence taken I think the problem is that when people hear HDR they think ultra unreal crazy colors etc etc.. HDR is a very very wide gamut, and I hope the style I use can help anyone better their photography
I have always wanted to try the surreal type HDR, but simply I have no idea how to do it and maybe someone else will chime in and give a layout on how?
As for my stuff, I doubt that I have the skill to explain this well but I can say Greg made a perfect example and description.
Maybe it will be good to show my before and after?
This example shows some of the Raw images converted to DNG for PS stitching.
Caveat: My dirty little secret is that I can not shot a straight pano to save my life, (but I try), here are 10 frames stitched, some say overlap by 25%, but I overlap by 75% because the more frames the better PS deals with making the pano turn out correct.
Anyway, back on topic, we all see in "HDR" but as pointed out with examples our cameras do NOT. So we blend the different exposures to get the images to look like how we seen the scene with our own eyes...and based on personal taste and style then comes the "enhancements".
Aaron and Greg, this is so helpful to read. I too have been straying away from this challenge, but I'm not sure the software I have will do this anyway, but, it definitely helps me understand it, to maybe give it a try, so thanks!
Karin
"Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening. Love like you've never been hurt and live like it's heaven on Earth." — Mark Twain
I use Dynamic Photo HDR for the initial blend & tone mapping as it tends towards the dynamic rather than natural look which I preferred when I started doing HDRs. Now I usually reduce the tone mapping to a more natural look and finish off in elements. The last 2 here are from my more naturalistic phase while #1 is from when I was into high contrast tone mapping (which I still occasionally use).
Totally new to HDR...
Okay, I just started dabbling in HDR, and not very much. Just thought I’d throw these in as some of the stuff I’ve been tryin’… I need to do more research and playing for sure. I do not have Photomatrix now, used Picturenaut (it is a free download) for the only true HDR in this lot.
#1 the Iris is truly an HDR using multiple exposures, taking shots of this for a daily and thought I’d try the multiple exposure setting out. The other two are “normal” shots that have been enhanced using Topaz Adjust in CS4 to get an HDR affect.
#1 Iris
#2 Scoutie...(Poor Dog)
Poor Scout really does not look that bad...entered this one in a ugly dog contest a news station was holding and she took runner up... Don't tell her!
Greg and Aaron
Aaron and Greg - sorry for the belated reply. I have had mega domain name/email issues that waylaid me for a few weeks.
At any rate, thank you both so much for your help and examples. I see now what you mean and how HDR can be used! Wonderful explanations, both of you. I really appreciate it.
Comments
ackdoc.com
The argument of HDR photomatix vs. HDR PS vs. HDR layers and masks have made for some great discussion among friends I hang with.....
None of us have ever lost the argument to one another.... If you know what I mean?.
(btw, if I've used any of these shots before pls forgive my memory...)
#1
Along the Trail
#2
Deep, Very Deep
#3
I like to call this one:
"Zeno, if I ever catch you ..."
Just have to comment on this. It's is pretty funny and the title makes it. Makes me angry and yet I guffaw at the same time.
Aaron,
I have never done HDR, have only read about it, hence staying WAY away from this mini challenge. However, I apparently need to be educated, so I'm hoping you will do that for me. In looking at your three landscape images, they are great. LOVE them. But I can't tell the difference between what you have posted here and non-HDR landscapes. I know, cringe, cringe, everyone is probably very embarrassed for me, but admitting this asking for input is the only way I can learn.
My camera does the bracketing thing (yep, rank amateur here) but I've never used it. I guess I'm not quite sure what the need is since I can't tell the difference between your HDR shots and regular non HDR landscapes. The really processed HDR shots, sure, i can tell. But not the others. Please don't be offended because I certainly don't mean it that way, and can you educate me?
Kara
about.me/karastewart
Aaron's first shot is a great example of the value of HDR. If you scan over that scene, you can see the detail in the water, in the shadow areas of the forest, and in the cloudy sky. Without HDR, you would've had to choose, based on exposure, which one you'd want to emphasize. If you exposed for the forest, the sky would've been blown out. If for the sky, the forest would be black.
Here's the 5 bracketed exposures (SOOC) I used to create one of my examples. You'll notice the underexposured ones pick up the pastels of the sky, and the overexposed ones, the detail in the rocky foreground.
0
-2
-1
+1
+2
Greg
ackdoc.com
I have always wanted to try the surreal type HDR, but simply I have no idea how to do it and maybe someone else will chime in and give a layout on how?
As for my stuff, I doubt that I have the skill to explain this well but I can say Greg made a perfect example and description.
Maybe it will be good to show my before and after?
This example shows some of the Raw images converted to DNG for PS stitching.
Caveat: My dirty little secret is that I can not shot a straight pano to save my life, (but I try), here are 10 frames stitched, some say overlap by 25%, but I overlap by 75% because the more frames the better PS deals with making the pano turn out correct.
Anyway, back on topic, we all see in "HDR" but as pointed out with examples our cameras do NOT. So we blend the different exposures to get the images to look like how we seen the scene with our own eyes...and based on personal taste and style then comes the "enhancements".
expose for Shadows
expose for Highlights
Merge the two, and then Enhance to taste...
"Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening. Love like you've never been hurt and live like it's heaven on Earth." — Mark Twain
and if I can add Sean, make it tone mapped heavy? then I will be forced to try something new.
Very cool submissions!
#1 Peace Pagoda Sunrise
#2 Sunset over Rutland Water
#3 Normanton Church at Sunset
I use Dynamic Photo HDR for the initial blend & tone mapping as it tends towards the dynamic rather than natural look which I preferred when I started doing HDRs. Now I usually reduce the tone mapping to a more natural look and finish off in elements. The last 2 here are from my more naturalistic phase while #1 is from when I was into high contrast tone mapping (which I still occasionally use).
www.andmanphotography.com
Facebook Fan Page
"Landscape photography is the supreme test of the photographer - and often the supreme disappointment." Ansel Adams
#1 - Aide de Campe's Room, Washington's HQ
#2 - Attic, Washington's HQ
#3 - George & Martha's Bedroom, Washington's HQ
http://lrichters.smugmug.com
I don't have any HDR images, neither know how to do them properly...
so, I'm not participating in this challenge.
Linda your entries are really nice - especially the wide angle ones - fantastic!!!
TravelwaysPhotos.com ...... Facebook
VegasGreatAttractions.com
Travelways.com
Okay, I just started dabbling in HDR, and not very much. Just thought I’d throw these in as some of the stuff I’ve been tryin’… I need to do more research and playing for sure. I do not have Photomatrix now, used Picturenaut (it is a free download) for the only true HDR in this lot.
#1 the Iris is truly an HDR using multiple exposures, taking shots of this for a daily and thought I’d try the multiple exposure setting out. The other two are “normal” shots that have been enhanced using Topaz Adjust in CS4 to get an HDR affect.
#1 Iris
#2 Scoutie...(Poor Dog)
Poor Scout really does not look that bad...entered this one in a ugly dog contest a news station was holding and she took runner up... Don't tell her!
#3 JWU Hall
Liked the reflections the the glass offered...
www.katetaylor.smugmug.com
"You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus." Mark Twain
TravelwaysPhotos.com ...... Facebook
VegasGreatAttractions.com
Travelways.com
Image 1 and 2 were taken while on vacation in England. Image 3 was in a park while BBQing with some friends. Enjoy!
Bodiam Castle, Robertsbridge, England
Canterbury Cathedrel, Canterbury, England
Honda S2000, Phoenix, AZ
Each image produced with 5 - 6 exposures using Photomatix for the tonal mapping.
There are some wonderful images here...great challenge! Thanks!
#1
#2
#3
#4
ackdoc.com
Aaron and Greg - sorry for the belated reply. I have had mega domain name/email issues that waylaid me for a few weeks.
At any rate, thank you both so much for your help and examples. I see now what you mean and how HDR can be used! Wonderful explanations, both of you. I really appreciate it.
And I just may try it . . ..
Kara
about.me/karastewart